2013 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Projections After Divisional Playoffs

Much is changing in the world of the 2013 NFL draft. The January 15 deadline for underclassmen to enter is nearly here, with already over 70 juniors and redshirt sophomores entering this draft class.

Those 70 entrants figure to add to the overall strength of the class, but they're also notable for the players who didn't declare. Jake Matthews and Taylor Lewan both head back to school after being potential top-10 picks. That not only hurts the overall class, but really hurts those teams who need a left tackle early in Round 1.

Also updating is the draft order. With four more teams being eliminated from the playoffs, we have an updated order through pick No. 28.

Who is rising up the board, which team needs are becoming clearer, and where exactly will your team look in the 2013 draft? A two-round mock draft awaits you.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have a new general manager (John Dorsey) and a new head coach (Andy Reid). What they don't have is a quarterback.

I've been on the fence as far as what the Chiefs should do with the No. 1 overall pick. Conventional wisdom says that if you don't have a quarterback, you must go get one. Why not use the No. 1 overall pick on a young, exciting passer who can lead the franchise into the future?

On the other hand, I don't see Geno Smith as being a clear-cut first overall type of player. However, in a year with little to no QB talent available in free agency and two men coming to town—Dorsey and Reid—who love to develop quarterbacks, it's becoming more and more likely that the team should draft Smith first overall.

There is no right answer in mid-January for the Chiefs. Free agency will be the ultimate dictator for how this pick is used. If left tackle Branden Albert isn't re-signed, or won't re-sign, then Luke Joeckel makes the most sense. If unexpected cuts lead to an Alex Smith-type signing, the team can ignore quarterback for at least another round.

Bottom line? It's too early to feel good about where Kansas City will go with this pick, but at least until free agency, filling their huge hole at quarterback is the smartest move.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

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The Pick: DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

New general manager David Caldwell will be tasked with rebuilding a team that lacks playmakers on both sides of the ball. It won't be easy.

Caldwell hasn't hired a head coach yet, so schemes and personnel aren't yet known, but what we can tell from evaluating the roster overall is that the team needs help getting to and pressuring the quarterback. Even after signing Jason Babin late in the year, another pass-rusher would be welcome.

Bjoern Werner had a brilliant 2012 season, and it's his ability to not only sack the quarterback, but to affect plays by batting down passes that will make him a Day 1 starter for a team that has needs across the board.

3. Oakland Raiders

Dennis Allen's defense in Oakland wasn't able to fully execute in 2012 with a roster built for previous schemes. Now that Allen and general manager Reggie McKenzie finally have a first-round pick to use, look for the duo to address the weakest link on the roster.

The defensive end position needs an infusion of speed and athletic ability. Damontre Moore dominated in the SEC, proving he can be an edge pass-rusher at the next level. Moore would give Oakland speed off the edge, and might even allow them to move Lamarr Houston inside to tackle, where he's likely to be a better matchup with his size and quickness.

Moore won't solve all of the Raiders' problems, but the team needs to hit a home run in the first round, and Moore has the ability to be that player.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

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The Pick: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

A left tackle isn't the primary need for the Philadelphia Eagles, but a team currently without a head coach is tough to predict for when it comes to needs and schemes. The smart money in mid-January for the Eagles reverts back to best-player-available.

Luke Joeckel is the best player available as my No. 1 overall player for the 2013 NFL draft. I've mentioned before that Joeckel grades out as the best tackle I've ever scouted—dating back to the '01 draft. That means better than Joe Thomas, Jake Long and Matt Kalil.

The Eagles are expected to have Jason Peters back healthy, but Peters is coming off a tough Achilles injury and is a much more expensive option. A young team that's rebuilding could look to either move Peters to guard—he's athletic enough—or simply cut him for the younger, cheaper prospect with much higher upside.

5. Detroit Lions

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The Pick: CB Dee Milliner, Alabama

The Detroit Lions have been a best-player-available team under general manager Martin Mayhew, and while that's been good for them in terms of overall talent-building, it's time to mix in a little need-based picking to fill out holes that led to the team losing 12 games the past year.

The biggest need for the Lions is clearly at cornerback. Facing Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler four times in 2012 exposed the team's lack of depth at the position and paints a clear picture of where Mayhew and Co. need to look in the first round.

Dee Milliner is the best of the cornerback class, and he'll grade out as a top-10 pick. Milliner is a straight up boundary cornerback who doesn't have much experience playing inside, but he's a big, strong playmaker who will be an instant starter in Detroit.

6. Cleveland Browns

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The Pick: OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Rob Chudzinski heads to Cleveland as the new head coach of the Browns, and with him comes an exciting vertical passing game that will fully utilize the talents of Josh Gordon, Greg Little and Brandon Weeden. But what about the defense?

Former general manager Tom Heckert had done a good job with the beginning stages of building this defense, but the pieces aren't all in place. The Browns need another cornerback, another pass-rusher and more threats on the outside at linebacker. Basically, they need to build around D'Qwell Jackson and Joe Haden.

Jarvis Jones has some question marks on his scouting report. He's not very big (6'3", 240 lbs.) and he transferred from USC with spinal stenosis before landing at Georgia. Jones has been a phenomenal player the last two seasons, but the health questions could push his stock down on draft day. If not, he's an impact player waiting to be placed at outside linebacker in any scheme the Browns choose to run.

7. Arizona Cardinals

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The Pick: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

The Arizona Cardinals' biggest strength is their defense, but that strength could be weakened through free agency and natural regression if new general manager Steve Keim doesn't keep drafting to address the team's needs.

Darnell Dockett fell out of favor with the old coaching staff near the end of the season, putting in doubt if he'll return with the club in 2013. With or without Dockett, drafting the best available defensive player makes sense here.

The Cardinals need a left tackle, badly, but there's no player worth selecting at No. 7 overall at the position. Rather than reaching for a left tackle, picking up a top-five player like Star Lotulelei to bolster the defense would be the best move for Keim and Co.

8. Buffalo Bills

New Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone comes from Syracuse, where he mentored and coached Nassib. It's common sense to think the two would like to be reunited in Buffalo, but the mistake people make is in thinking the Bills can wait until the second round to nab one of the hottest rising names in the entire draft class.

We can all agree that quarterback is the biggest need for this team—so why not pull the trigger on the guy you know, love and trust? This may be a reach, but on my rankings, it's no bigger reach than drafting Ryan Tannehill No. 8 overall last year.

The Bills have other needs, but none as important as the quarterback position.

9. New York Jets

To get out from the clusterfudge former general manager Mike Tannenbaum and current head coach Rex Ryan have created, the Jets need to move on from quarterback Mark Sanchez.

Drafting a quarterback won't fix all of the team's needs, but it will kick-start their move away from the old regime and into the future. Ryan needs a clean break from his failed experiment with Sanchez, and drafting a sure-fire franchise quarterback is the only way to do that.

Tyler Wilson enters the offseason as one of the top quarterback prospects in the class. He's strong-armed, tough as nails in the pocket and full of moxie. While Wilson did struggle in 2012, scouts will wisely go back to his 2011 film to see how the quarterback looked with a competent offense around him.

10. Tennessee Titans

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The Pick: OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

Drafting an offensive guard with the No. 10 pick may not seem like the best move, but when you consider how poorly the Tennessee Titans guards have played in the last two years, this move has more value than you might imagine.

Warmack has been a dominant guard on an offensive line that's as close to an NFL unit as you'll find in college football. While guards aren't naturally drafted this high, guards aren't usually as strong as Warmack or as polished as he is in the run game.

The Titans have a Pro Bowl-caliber running back in Chris Johnson and a mobile quarterback in Jake Locker. Improving their offensive line play with a bruiser like Warmack is the best move for a young roster.

11. San Diego Chargers

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The Pick: OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan

When looking at team needs for mock drafts, few teams have a need as clearly defined as the San Diego Chargers' hole at left tackle.

After a stretch of solid play from Marcus McNeill and then three good games from Jared Gaither in 2011, the team thought they were set with Gaither moving forward. But his chronic injury history was a limiting factor in his play and impact this year. Now the Chargers are starting over. Again.

With a new general manager and head coach coming in, the Chargers will be starting over on both sides of the ball. The good news is that they still have Philip Rivers and a good crop of wide receivers. Addressing their pass protection will be the key to jump-starting the offense.

12. Miami Dolphins

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The Pick: DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU

Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin hit on their 2012 draft picks—adding Ryan Tannehill, Jon Martin, Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller as young studs who can dramatically shape the future of the franchise. Now, they need to do the same again.

While Vernon was a nice player opposite Cameron Wake at defensive end, he's not a ferocious pass-rusher, and that's what the team needs.

Barkevious Mingo is more athlete than football player at this point, but that athleticism has amazing upside. Mingo, if coached up, could become a Jason Pierre-Paul or Bruce Irvin-type player. He has natural gifts that few players possess, but he also has considerable boom-or-bust potential as a DE.

Mingo would be a nice upgrade opposite Wake, even if he's only a situational pass-rusher early on.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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The Pick: CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't far from competing in the NFC South, but in a division with Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Cam Newton, you need cornerbacks who can cover well on an island. Right now the Buccaneers have one of those in Eric Wright. They need another.

Johnthan Banks is a name sure to impress folks in the leadup to the draft. He has the size to be a physical presence on the edge against bigger wide receivers, but he's also a capable tackler who isn't afraid to step up against the run.

Banks grades out as a similar player to Stephon Gilmore from South Carolina in the 2012 draft. Gilmore went No. 10 overall to the Buffalo Bills. Banks at No. 13 is a good value for the Tampa defense.

14. Carolina Panthers

New general manager Dave Gettleman comes from the New York Giants front office, where a premium was placed on pass-rushers and defensive linemen. In Carolina, he'll find Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy as worthy defensive ends, but the talent at tackle is lacking.

It's fair to expect Gettleman to focus on building up the defense first, as the offense has proven to be effective with Cam Newton and Steve Smith operating together. The key will be finding a defensive tackle who can be disruptive on every down.

Jesse Williams was an impact player in the middle of the Alabama defense, and oftentimes he was asked to play assignment football that limited his ability to make plays. That won't be the case in Carolina, where Williams' athletic ability will shine in the middle of the defensive line.

15. New Orleans Saints

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The Pick: DE Dion Jordan, Oregon

Defense, defense, defense.

That's the mantra for the New Orleans Saints' 2013 offseason. With their first pick in the draft, look for Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton to find a pass-rushing presence who can jump-start defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's schemes.

Spagnuolo loves to get pressure with just four men, and right now he has one—Cameron Jordan. Adding an athlete like Dion Jordan to complement Jordan's size and strength would give the Saints balance on the defensive line. Jordan's speed off the right side with Jordan causing matchup problems on the left would give the team the duo they need to regain their spot atop the NFC South.

16. St. Louis Rams

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The Pick: OT Dallas Thomas, Tennessee

The St. Louis Rams enjoyed a great first season with Jeff Fisher and Les Snead running the show. Now expectations are bigger, and thanks to two first-round picks in April, the Rams are in position to drastically improve their roster.

With the first of their two picks, the Rams must look at finding an anchor at right tackle who can power the run game and protect quarterback Sam Bradford. That's the priority for Fisher and Snead at No. 16 overall.

Tennessee's Dallas Thomas is a versatile, athletic lineman who can play anywhere from right tackle to left guard. He's even capable of being used at left tackle in a pinch. That ability to play all over while being a standout at right tackle makes Thomas the ideal pick to line up opposite Rodger Saffold on the St. Louis line.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

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The Pick: ILB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

How much did Manti Te'o hurt his stock in the BCS National Championship against Alabama? Not at all.

Those who read this article each week saw Te'o drop to No. 17 overall in our first mock draft after the regular season ended. This is where Te'o's true value is at—between picks No. 15 and No. 25. Not in the top five as may have been suggested earlier in the year.

The Steelers need to get younger and faster on defense, and in a 3-4 scheme Te'o would be a nice asset next to Lawrence Timmons at inside linebacker. Te'o has the quickness to lock down the run between the tackles, and while he doesn't have great speed, he'll be able to cover most tight ends and backs when Timmons isn't asked to.

Te'o to the Steelers won't fill the team's biggest need, but it does give them youth, speed and impact on defense.

18. Dallas Cowboys

It may seem odd to see the Dallas Cowboys drafting a defensive lineman, but hear me out.

New defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will bring a 4-3, Tampa 2 defense to the ball club, and with that the defensive front seven will see major shifts in what each player is asked to do. DeMarcus Ware will still be an edge rusher, but he might be lined up one click inside. Jay Ratliff will be a 1-technique nose tackle with a 3-technique pass-rusher next to him. That pass-rushing defensive tackle is what the Cowboys lack.

Shariff Floyd can be that guy. As an internal pass-rusher for Florida, Floyd has shown the ability to split the gaps and penetrate the offensive line. With Ware on one side and Ratliff on the other, Floyd would also see plenty of single block set-ups for him to work his magic.

19. New York Giants

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The Pick: DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU

As Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora become less impactful for the New York Giants front four, the pressure is on for general manager Jerry Reese to replace them with a younger model. The good news for all involved is that the 2013 NFL draft has a ready-made replacement in Ezekiel Ansah.

The big BYU defensive end is an athletic specimen with unmatched potential. What Ansah lacks in technique, he makes up for in potential. If the Giants can develop Ansah the same way they did Tuck, Osi and JPP, they'll have another stud pass-rusher to terrorize offenses with.

There are other needs here, but offseason changes are expected to make defensive end the team's primary area to improve.

20. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears simply cannot pass on an offensive tackle again in the first round. The key will be not only drafting a left tackle, but making sure they get the right guy.

In the 2012 draft, the Bears passed on standouts like Mitchell Schwartz, Riley Reiff, Cordy Glenn and Jon Martin to draft a situational defensive end, Shea McClellin. That move has done little to build up faith in Phil Emery's offensive line-building skills. The 2013 draft will give Emery a chance to remedy that.

With the LT free-agent class very strong this year (Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Branden Albert), there is a chance the Bears look to fill their greatest need with an established player. If that's the case, look for pick No. 20 to be used bolstering the middle of the defense—be it at middle linebacker or safety.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

If you're the Cincinnati Bengals front office, your goal for the first round is to find an impact player on defense. Lucky for them, a player with the potential to be the best linebacker from this year's class is still on the board.

Arthur Brown doesn't have great size, but he makes up for that with excellent vision and speed. The K-State product is a missile against the run, but he's quick enough and loose-hipped enough to play in coverage. Brown compares well to Bobby Wagner, a player who has earned Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration in Seattle.

The Bengals have two picks in Round 2 to work on adding a safety and a running back. With Brown in play here, they could move on from Rey Maualuga while getting faster overall on defense.

22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)

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The Pick: WR Keenan Allen, Cal

With the second of their two picks in Round 1, the St. Louis Rams are in a position to add a playmaker on either side of the ball.

Looking at team needs, this could be a good time to look for a free safety—Kenny Vaccaro or Eric Reid would work—but it's also a great spot to grab the best wide receiver in the draft to line up with Chris Givens and Brian Quick.

Keenan Allen's stock has slipped slightly due toinjuries and a lack of elite speed, but he's a big target (6'3") with great run-after-catch ability. Allen's vision, acceleration and hands would give the Rams something they lack right now—a home-run threat on offense.

23. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings made a surprise playoff appearance this postseason, but to remain competitive in a very tough division, they have to get better on offense.

The team nailed their 2012 draft picks when they added Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith in the first round, but now their focus has to go to the wide receiver position. Percy Harvin had a great first half of the season, but injuries have always been a factor for the speedy receiver and now there are rumors that he won't return to the team next season.

With or without Harvin, another wide receiver is needed. Cordarrelle Patterson from Tennessee would give Minnesota size, speed and mismatch opportunities on offense. If they can keep Harvin, this type of duo is what the team needs to develop quarterback Christian Ponder. If they can't keep Harvin, this pick becomes a priority in replacing their No. 1 wideout.

24. Indianapolis Colts

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The Pick: DE Sheldon Richardson, Missouri

The transition to a 3-4 defense went well in 2012 for the Indianapolis Colts, but the depth chart is far from filled out. With the 2013 draft approaching, the Colts are in need of players who can start immediately in the three-man front.

Cory Redding played well as a free-agent pickup at defensive end, but opposite him a young horse is needed to play the 5-technique position. Missouri's Sheldon Richardson has the size—he played defensive tackle in college—and speed to be an impact on the left side of the defensive line.

Richardson is a rare high-effort player with great athleticism. He's a never-stop athlete who will be able to pressure the quarterback while having the strength to stop the run off the edge.

For the Colts defense, Richardson would be an upgrade at the position.

25. Seattle Seahawks

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The Pick: OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama

The Seattle Seahawks have quickly been remade in the image of head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, and that's been good enough to not only make the playoffs, but to win games there.

Now it's time to keep moving forward. Where are the Seahawks weakest? The clear needs are for a right tackle and another pass-rusher on the defensive line. The team can address those needs with the best player available at either spot.

The Seahawks have shown a liking for Alabama offensive linemen in the past, and right tackle D.J. Fluker is a perfect fit for a power run-based offense like they run in Seattle. Fluker's massive movement off the line will make him a great fit from day one.

26. Green Bay Packers

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The Pick: FS Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

The Green Bay Packers were kicked out of the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers, and exposed defensively in the process. It's clear that a team heavy on age needs to get younger, in a hurry, on defense.

As good as Charles Woodson has been in his Hall of Fame career, it's getting close to time for him to hang up his cleats. Replacing Woodson won't be easy, as he's one of the more versatile defensive backs in the game, but it's something Ted Thompson and Co. will face soon.

Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro isn't Charles Woodson, but he offers similar versatility. Vaccaro can play free or strong safety and often lined up at cornerback in the slot against spread offenses. Vaccaro's speed and versatility would make him a great fit replacing No. 21 in the Green Bay defense.

27. Houston Texans

Speed on offense is much needed in Houston, and after watching Tavon Austin run through Big 12 defenses this season, you have to think both fans and coaches would want his speed on the roster in 2013.

Austin doesn't have great size, but the Texans have that in Andre Johnson and last year's pick DeVier Posey. What Austin lacks in size he brings in speed, vision and playmaking ability that will open up the Texans offense in ways Gary Kubiak can only imagine.

28. Denver Broncos

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The Pick: CB Xavier Rhodes, FSU

Champ Bailey's last game of the 2012 season left him badly beaten by younger, faster wide receivers. The future Hall of Famer had no answer for the speed of Torrey Smith. That's a concern for the Denver Broncos moving forward.

Bailey may have another year left in the tank, but the cornerback position is a weakness for the Broncos regardless of whether Champ is back or not. Getting younger, faster and more athletic at the position is a first-class need for John Elway to address this offseason.

Xavier Rhodes would give Denver plenty of speed on the edge, and he's quick enough to start his career lining up in the slot as a nickel corner if needed. Most importantly, Rhodes gives Denver a young cornerback to grow with as opposed to a depth chart full of aging veterans.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Free agency will be a determining factor in where the Baltimore Ravens go with their draft picks, but as of mid-January, the team has a need at tight end.

Dennis Pitta has been a go-to target for Joe Flacco this season, but with free agency coming this offseason for Pitta, the team could be without their best receiving tight end. Pitta will be asked back, but can Baltimore afford him? The team has to worry about Flacco and Paul Kruger entering free agency as well, and Pitta ranks lower on their list of priorities.

Instead of shelling out money to keep Pitta, the Ravens could upgrade over him by drafting Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert. The Ravens need a red-zone threat at the position, and Eifert's size and length allows him to be a threat inside the 20s. He also offers much more upside at the position at a lower cost.

30. San Francisco 49ers

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The Pick: FS Eric Reid, LSU

Watching Dashon Goldson all season and again in the playoffs, you have to feel like this is not only an area where the San Francisco 49ers can improve in 2013, but also an area where they can save money moving forward.

Goldson was re-signed on a one-year deal in July, and while he played well this season, he's not worth top free safety money. Goldson isn't a bad player, but his personal foul penalties and missed tackles in space are detriments to an otherwise smart defense.

Eric Reid is big, he can hit and he has similar range as Goldson—but he's younger, faster and cheaper. If the 49ers are looking to improve in 2013, free safety is the spot to do it on defense.

31. New England Patriots

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The Pick: OG Barrett Jones, Alabama

As the New England Patriots' key players get older, Bill Belichick has done a good job reassembling the team every few seasons with new playmakers. Now's the time to work on the inside of the offensive line.

Barrett Jones is one of the most decorated offensive linemen of the last five seasons. Coming out of the Alabama system, Jones is a versatile lineman who can play guard, tackle or center. Add in the known Saban-Belichick connection and it's easy to see Jones lining up at center for Tom Brady's offense in 2013.

The Patriots have other needs—they need to add youth at wide receiver—but Belichick rarely panics in the draft. Instead, team-building takes precedence over skill players. Jones fits that mold as a very "Patriots-like" pick.

32. Atlanta Falcons

If you watched the Atlanta Falcons beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, you noticed how badly they need another pass-rusher.

John Abraham has been amazing for the team, but he's also on the last legs of his career. Getting younger, faster and stronger at defensive end is the No. 1 need for the Falcons front office.

Alex Okafor has been a solid starter for the Texas defense over the last two seasons, proving to be an effective pass-rusher and run defender. He's been one of the few bright spots on a defense that struggled this past season, showing the skill set to be a three-down player in the NFL.

Lining Okafor up across from Abraham for one season would instantly upgrade the Falcons pass rush in a division that features Cam Newton, Josh Freeman and Drew Brees.